Russian theater figures form an alliance against unfriendly bureaucrats, Cossacks, and Orthodox activists

Leading figures in St. Petersburg's theater culture have decided to create an alliance to combat unfriendly bureaucrats, Cossacks, and "Russian Orthodox activists" opposed to creative freedom, according to a report by the news agency Rosbalt. The alliance was created at a meeting attended by the leaders of St. Petersburg's theaters, and by prominent members of the city's ballet, film, and visual arts scenes.

According to Andrei Moguchy, the current artistic director of the Tovstonogov Bolshoi Drama Theater, Russian theater society is fighting an infection of "intolerance and war," which is affecting artists and audiences alike. The theater, Moguchy says, exists to bring people together, and the industry's newly-created professional community can ensure that a dialogue continues, he says.

It's not yet clear how the alliance will operate in practice. Future discussions are planned to deliberate how best protect artists and uphold conditions conducive to continued theatrical work. The meeting this week also revealed some disagreements among the theater community, however, as not everyone displayed great eagerness to join an open conflict against the groups that have harassed Russian artists in recent years.